Category Archives: R. Gershon Bess

The Hero System of Rabbi Gershon Bess

Six weeks before Pesach the office on Beverly Boulevard fills with paper. Companies write back, or refuse to. A legal department permits an answer by phone and forbids one in writing. Another sends a letter that says the product holds … Continue reading

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Decoding Rabbi Gershon Bess

ChatGPT says: Through Alliance Theory, Alliance Theory is best understood as a boundary hardener whose primary function is to preserve Orthodox Jewish cohesion by making limits unmistakable in an environment that constantly rewards drift. Bess’s role is not outreach and … Continue reading

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LA Orthodox Rabbis Explain Abuse Policy

REPORT: A rabbinical group called the Halachic Advisory Board has released a statement following a speech by Simi Yarmush, a California resident who accused rabbis for not aiding her when she came forward about being abused at a young age. … Continue reading

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Sima Yumash – An Orthodox Victim Of Childhood Sexual Abuse – Tells Her Los Angeles Story

Jewish Community Watch (JCW) names the abuser as Rabbi Sholom Dovber Levitansky: Sholom (Dovber) Levitansky has been added to the Wall of Shame due to his alleged sexual abuse of a number of female minors. Multiple victims came forward and … Continue reading

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The RCC Vs. Rabbi Bukspan

In February 1997, attorney Baruch Cohen drafted a letter on behalf of Rabbi Yehuda Bukspan asking for a suspension of the RCC‘s campaign to destroy the rabbi. One of the signatories sent me this petition. I asked Baruch Cohen for … Continue reading

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Rabbi Gershon Bess’s Ruling On Worms In Fish

He ruled a few weeks ago that most fish were not kosher because they had worms in them. There have always been worms in fish, Rashi says so in his commentary on the Talmud, the question was always which ones … Continue reading

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Rabbi Gershon Bess Forbids Consumption Of Most Fish

I wonder if the RCC will force all their restaurants to stop selling fish? An Orthodox rabbi tells me about Rabbi Bess and the RCC: “These people don’t know what they are talking about when they prohibit these things. The … Continue reading

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Is The Purpose Of Religion To Aggrandize Yourself Or To Serve God?

That’s the question I think about when I look at Jewish Los Angeles. When the Orthodox Union puts its hashgacha (kosher certification) on toilet bowl cleanser and water, is that just for making money or is there a divine reason … Continue reading

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What Animates Rabbi Gershon Bess?

He’s the most powerful Orthodox rabbi in Los Angeles. The yeshiva and kollel communities look to him for guidance. He is the power behind the RCC. What does he want? What is his vision? He strikes me as a man … Continue reading

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An Original Mind At Beth Jacob

Rabbi Kalman Topp is giving a bunch of classes at Beth Jacob and he prepares original content for each one (just like the rabbis at Bnai David and the rabbi at YICC much of the time). Rabbi Topp is fluent … Continue reading

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